OpenMarine
Wireless GPS and environmental senders - Printable Version

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Wireless GPS and environmental senders - toqduj - 2017-07-24

I've installed a SWAB (System Without a Boat), consisting of:

  1. A RPi 3 with a Strato Pi UPS HAT and a small lead acid battery on which it runs for a day or so. This runs OpenPlotter, and is to be placed as a central server somewhere safe on my imaginary boat. 
  2. A WiFi GPS sender, consisting of an Ultimate GPS, an MKR1000 and a LiPo battery. This sends SignalK messages via MQTT to the OpenPlotter broker. Should be placed on the deck to receive GPS clearly. 
  3. A WiFi Environmental sensor, consisting of a few I2C sensors (pressure, humidity, temperature, light) connected to another MKR1000 with LiPo battery. Like #2, this also sends SK messages via MQTT. This shares much the same codebase as #2. Should end up somewhere in my imaginary cockpit, so that the illumination can be tuned to the available light.

Code and a few pictures are available here: https://bitbucket.org/toQDuj/signalk-gps-nodule

The next project will hopefully realise a waterproof WiFi display using an MKR1000 or ESP32 (the former are hard to find now for some reason) and some e-paper. 

/end brag  Smile


RE: Wireless GPS and environmental senders - Sderbyshire - 2017-07-24

Interesting project!

Look forward to reading about your progress ?


RE: Wireless GPS and environmental senders - SkipperEarly - 2017-10-01

Any progress you could share?


RE: Wireless GPS and environmental senders - toqduj - 2017-10-08

(2017-10-01, 10:16 AM)SkipperEarly Wrote: Any progress you could share?

Yup. the GPS and environmental sensors work robustly. When power is interrupted, the GPS module works another four hours on the 1.2 Ah battery, whereas the environmental sensors work for 3 days on the same (GPS is a power-hog). 

I am now working on 
  1) mounting the modules into decent housings 
  2) making an IMU module, and

3) I'm working together with another Berliner. We're going to demonstrate SK (and the modules) at the December mini maker faire.


RE: Wireless GPS and environmental senders - SkipperEarly - 2017-10-10

quote
Code and a few pictures are available here: https://bitbucket.org/toQDuj/signalk-gps-nodule
unquote

Link is not working Sad
would be great to find a writeup with some details for non-programmers.
Specifically the 'wireless' environmental and IMU modules are of interest.


RE: Wireless GPS and environmental senders - toqduj - 2017-10-19

Yes, sorry, moved the project to one with a more generic name:

https://bitbucket.org/toQDuj/signalk-wifi-nodules

A good write-up is still lacking. I'm also moving to another IMU with automatic calibration. 

Cheers, 


B.


RE: Wireless GPS and environmental senders - shark24 - 2017-10-19

How are you handling the charging process of the lipo? Is the charger integrated in the modules?
I'm experimenting with esp8266 & esp32. I prefer lifepo over lipo and good old wires over WiFi. Since I have power outside at the mast I'm thinking about integrating my weathersensor in the mast step.


RE: Wireless GPS and environmental senders - toqduj - 2017-10-20

(2017-10-19, 09:02 PM)shark24 Wrote: How are you handling the charging process of the lipo? Is the charger integrated in the modules?
I'm experimenting with esp8266 & esp32. I prefer lifepo over lipo and good old wires over WiFi. Since I have power outside at the mast I'm thinking about integrating my weathersensor in the mast step.

The MKR1000 has an integrated LiPo charging circuit, which seems to work well, even with complete discharges of the batteries (it cuts it out at an appropriate battery voltage). Normally, I'd also consider a wired ethernet connection, but can't imagine the hassle of pulling multiple ethernet cables alongside power cables left and right. Also, weatherproofing RJ45 probably is more hassle than it's worth.


RE: Wireless GPS and environmental senders - PaddyB - 2017-10-20

(2017-10-19, 09:02 PM)shark24 Wrote: How are you handling the charging process of the lipo? Is the charger integrated in the modules?
I'm experimenting with esp8266 & esp32. I prefer lifepo over lipo and good old wires over WiFi. Since I have power outside at the mast I'm thinking about integrating my weathersensor in the mast step.

I've been having a play with esp8266 . Powering straight off the 12v into Vin pin. Regulators gets a bit warm though..

sending MQTT over wifi from a victron mppt solar regulator, seems to crash now and again though..

MQTT is great for monitoring, it gets sent to the Pi then node red sends it to the web as well so FRED can make a chart for viewing anywhere.


[Image: we0YaeI.png]


RE: Wireless GPS and environmental senders - shark24 - 2017-10-20

Thx for your reply. You are right about the weatherproofing. I guess Ill go for a basic 1wire temp. sensor  because my existing waterproof plug still has 3 free wires left and there is no need to measure humidity and airpressure outside so an additional bme280 will do the job inside. The GPS reception inside the cabin is good as well so currently I don't really need any controllers besides the rpi.
Still playing with the microcontrollers for home use so I'm looking forward to read more about your project.